Thermoregulator.



A. DE KHOTINSKY.

THERMOREGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED Amze. 191s.

Patented May 29, 1917.

Zflfaaaaaa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ACHILLES DE KHOTINSKY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS THEEMOEEGULA'I R.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented May '29, 1917.

Application filed April 29, 1916. Serial No. 94,511.

. tion.

This invention relates to a thermally controlled circuitclosing device and has for its principal object theprovision of a thermoregulator of the type in which a circuit is closed by the expansion of a liquid contained therein and forming one terminal of the cirthe end may assume varying forms,

in temperature respond to slight variations and to be readily and accurately adjusted to close the circuit at dif ferent temperatures.

A furtherobject of my invention is the provision of a thcrmoregulator of the above described type in which the condition of the contacts is readily observable without dismantling the device.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following spccification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which the figure is a vertical longitudinal section through the thermoregulator.

Referring to the drawing 1 indicates a tube which in practice is filled with a conducting iuid such as mercury which expands and contracts under varying thermal conditions. The closed end of the tube 1 is adapted to be disposed at the point at which the temperature is to be observed, for example in a water bath (not shown), and is broken in the illustration for the reason that depending upon the particular purpose to which it isapplied. Threadedly mounted upon the end of the tube 1 is a coupling 2 in the upper end of which a-member 3 is threadedly secured. The member 3 is interiorly tapered at 4 to receive the glass tube 5 having a capillary bore 6, the tube 5 being tapered to correspond to the tapered opening 4: and adapted to fit snugly therein. The memberi 3 is provided with a knurled head 7 whereby it may be adjusted with respect to the tube 1 to vary the normal height of the mercury which rises in the capillary bore 6, whereby the temperature at which the circuit is closed cuit, arranged to may be varied. A set screw 8, threadedly mounted in the coupling 2, may be employed to lock the member 3 in its adjusted position. The upper end of the glass tube 5 is tapered and fits snugly within the correspondingly tapered opening in a tube 9 to the upper end of which the cap 10 is threadedly attached. A screw 11 having a knurled liead 12 is disposed through the cap 10 and is provided at its lower extremity with a contact 13, preferably of platinum, extending into the bore 6 in the glass tube 5. By operating the screw 11 a finer adjustment of'the contact 13 with respect to the mercury in the bore 6 is possible. knurled lock nut 1% is disposed upon the screw 11 and serves to lock it in adjusted position.

The mode or" operation of the thermoregulator will be readily understood by the following brief description: The member 3 is separated from the coupling 2 and the tube 1 is filled with mercury up to Within substantially ten millimeters of the top of the coupling 2. The member 3 is replaced and the knurled head 7 is underside thereof is within substantially one millimeter of the top of the coupling 2. The

cap 10 is then removed and all mercury above the glass tube 5 is removed after which the cap 10 is replaced and the knurled head 7 is manipulated to bring the meniscus of the mercury column in contact with the platinum contact 13. The coarser adjustment is made by means of the knurled head 7 and the finer by means of the knurled head 12. The device is then ready for operation and may of course, be adjusted to close the contact between the mercury column and the platinum contact 13 at any desired tempera ture. i '7 V V As is well-known sparking between the mercury and the metallic contact rapidly oxidizes the mercury with the resulting formation of a film of mild and devices of this character have been heretofore unreliablebecause it has been impossible to determine whether or not a film of oxid had formed without dismantling the device. Inasmuch as this involved considerable trouble it has frequently been/overlooked with the result that the de ice failed at critical periods. "By employing the glass tube 5 it is possible to readily see the condition of the mercury within the bore 6 at all times so that a mere glance is sufiicient to warn the person in charge that the bore requires cleaning. This is accomplished by separating the member 3 from the connector 2 and the cap 10and passing a ball of absorbent cotton through the bore 6.

It will be appreciated from theforegoing that I have perfected a thermoregulator of simple construction which may be quickly regulated to close a circuit at desired temperatures and which overcomes a difiiculty 'which has been experienced in the use. of dev relatively to said tube and provided with a tapered opening, a second member provided with a. tapered opening and spaced from said first member, a glass tube having tapered ends fitting snugly in said tapered openings and a relatively small bore, and a contact member supported by said second member and extending into said bore.

2. A thermoregulator comprising a tube adapted to support a thermo-sensitive current-conducting fluid, a member adjustable relatively to said tube and provided with a tapered opening, means for locking said member in adjusted position, a second menr ber provided with a tapered opening and spaced from said first member, a glass tube having tapered ends fitting snugly in said tapered openings and a relatively small bore, and a contact'member supported by said second member and extending into said bore.

3. A thermoregulator comprising a tube adapted to support a thcrmo-sensitive current-conducting fluid, a member adjustable relatively to said tube and provided with a tapered opening, a second member provided with a tapered opening and spaced from said first member, a glass tube having tapered ends fitting snugly in said tapered openings and a relatively small bore, and an adjustable contact member supported by said second member and extending into said bore.

4. A thermoregulator comprising a tube adapted to support a thermo-sensitivc current-conducting fluid, a member adjustable A relatively to said tube and, provided with a tapered opening, a second member provided with a tapered opening and spaced from said first member, a glass tube having tapered ends fitting snugly in said tapered openings and a relatively small bore, an adjustable contact member supported by said second member and extending into said bore, and means for locking said contact member in adjusted position.

ACHILLES on KHOTINSKY.

Witnesses:

WM. F. BELT, M. A. Kmnm. 

